Big jump in preschool slots for Michigan children

September 9, 2013 | AP Michigan's $109 million early education budget paid for about 32,000 children last school year. This year's $174 million budget covers about 48,000 children.

The state provides free preschool for children from moderate- and low-income families.

The cutoff is about $39,000 for a parent with one child and about $59,000 for a family of four, with positions going first to the poorest children.

The Detroit News says about 500 more preschool-age children are expected to enroll in Detroit Public Schools this school year. The district says it has 215 preschool classrooms at 70 schools with a capacity for 3,530 children.